Position paper on theory in through life management

The objective of this position paper is to review, from a theoretical point of view, the practice of and research on through life management. It is argued that the rationale of TLM is elusive and its theoretical basis insufficient. Regarding information systems for through life management, an approach based on ethnomethodology is provided. Regarding learning from use, the embedded nature of effective learning is discussed. Regarding governance and management, the common denial to acknowledge production as a fundamental ingredient in TLM is considered. It is concluded that through life management is an under theorized domain, and further progress requires increased research efforts.

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